Chapter 7

• The things are worse.
• Eduard went straight to Bruno's room without even knocking on his door; the noise woke him up.
• "Good morning, little brother!" Bruno was still groggy.
• "What's so good about it? Can you explain to me why you took my son without my permission?"
• "Because I'm his uncle. I thought I could do it. Plus, he was feeling a bit lonely. The nanny was asleep while she was feeding her baby. I didn't see anything wrong with taking the kid," Bruno replied as if it were entirely normal.
• "So, Johanne had no idea that the child was with you?" Eduard's anger flared even more.
• "No, but we didn't take long. It was my fault, not the nanny's. I know you, don't take it out on her."
• "I'm going to fire her right now, and I suggest, no, I demand, that you stay away from my son. Do you understand?"
• "What's with all the distrust, little brother?"
• "I know exactly what kind of man you are, and I don't trust my own shadow. By the way, please leave my mansion as soon as possible." Eduard's words were sharp and cutting. This made Bruno fill with hatred. He had always envied his brother, and he had returned not only to secure a new contract but also to take over his brother's house, using cunning tactics. Staying there permanently would be even better.
• "Come on, Eduard, we're brothers. Don't be like this. I didn't see anything wrong with it," Bruno tried to talk to him as he followed him, but Eduard was too indifferent and too upset. Bruno simply huffed and cursed under his breath. He knew he had to leave the mansion soon.
• Meanwhile, Eduard picked up his phone and immediately called Johanne. She answered after two rings, but he didn't even let her speak.
• "You're fired! Your severance check will arrive in a few days," he hung up the call and went straight to Jhin. Spending time with his son was the only thing that made him feel better. Jhin was the only one who helped him manage his terrifying emotional state.
• On the other hand, Johanne was in shock. At that moment, she confirmed that Eduard knew something about what had happened that weekend, but she didn't know exactly what: whether the mishap with Jhin or the encounter she had with Bruno. Nevertheless, she decided to pick up Angel and head straight to the mansion. She wanted to provide an explanation, but when she arrived, it was Greis who answered the door.
• "Greis, can I come in? I need to speak to Mr. Collen."
• "No, Johanne, I'm afraid that's not possible. Mr. Collen doesn't want to talk to you."
• "But do you know what happened?"
• “Yes, he found out about the mistake you made with the child, and, of course, he wanted to kick everyone out of this mansion, including me. But he won't fire me because I'm the only trustworthy person here. I'm sorry, my dear, you have to leave," Greis explained.
• "No, Greis, please let me talk to him. I must talk to him."
• "Mr. Eduard is too stubborn. No matter how much you insist on talking to him, it won't be possible, so don't waste any more of your time. Now I have to go serve lunch. Goodbye, Johanne," Greis closed the door in her face. And there she was again; her world had crumbled once more. She found it unfair what he was doing, but it was the price she had to pay for her mistake.
• Sad about the news she had just received, she knew she had no choice but to look for a job again, so she went to talk to George.
• "Honey, how can it be that you've lost your job? I can't believe Eduard fired you; you had already passed the trial period."
• "I know, I was an idiot. I fell asleep for a short time, and Bruno took the child."
• "Honey, is Bruno there?"
• "Yes, but that man is pure evil," George fell silent for a moment. He knew a bit more about the Collen' history, and Bruno's presence was not a good sign.
• "Honey, I hope Bruno didn't harm you. That man is dangerous."
• "It doesn't matter anymore, George; I have to look for a job again."
• "I'm sorry, dear." Both were talking amiably when suddenly Eugenia, George's wife, emerged from behind the store. She was pale, and her face was drawn with pain, and she couldn't utter a word.
• George rushed to her side.
• "Eugenia, Eugenia, my love, are you okay? Johanne, call an ambulance," George yelled in desperation. She took her phone and did as he asked. But the woman collapsed to the ground, completely unconscious; she had managed to place her hand on her heart. When the paramedics arrived, there was nothing more to be done.
• "What happened to my wife?" George asked, completely devastated.
• "The truth is, she suffered a massive heart attack; it didn't give her any chance. We're sorry, sir, we couldn't do anything to help."
• Johanne tried to console George. What had just happened was the worst possible situation. The man who had helped her was going through the most intense pain, and she appreciated that because they were a second father to her son, and now it was falling apart.
• Eugenia's funeral took place a couple of days later. Only a few people attended, including Eduard. He stood on the opposite side of the grave and exchanged cold glances with Johanne. When the burial finally ended, she decided to approach him.
• "Sir, can we talk?"
• "What do you want to talk to me about, Johanne? That you are not a reliable person and handed my son over to Bruno?"
• "Sir, it was a mistake, I'm sorry. I was very tired, and it was a small slip-up."
• "With my son, you couldn't afford any mistake, no matter how small."
• "But, sir, I need the job."
• "You should have thought about that when you neglected my son. Excuse me," Eduard left, leaving her standing in the cemetery with her little one in her arms. A few tears involuntarily escaped from her. Eduard was breaking her heart, and although it was just a job, it was a good opportunity. In that moment, she realized she was confused and didn't know what she was beginning to feel for that dark man who seemed to have no feelings at all.
• In the days that followed, George had closed his supermarket, and that made Johanne understand that he didn't want anything to do with her either. This made her situation even more difficult. She realized that she was in trouble once again because there was no one she could trust to take care of her baby. He was still too young for daycare, and she had to work. Needs couldn't wait, and the money she earned from working for Eduard was barely enough to cover her mortgage and keep a roof over her head. To survive and provide a good life for her child, she had to work wherever and however she could.